Pacific Amphitheatre facts for kids
Pacific Amphitheatre
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| Address | 100 Fair Dr Costa Mesa, CA 92626-6523 |
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| Location | OC Fair & Event Center |
| Owner | OC Fair & Event Center |
| Operator | OC Fair & Event Center |
| Type | Amphitheatre |
| Capacity | 8,042 (2013–present) 18,765 (1983–2013) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | July 29, 1983 |
| Construction cost | $11 million |
The Pacific Amphitheatre is a large outdoor concert venue. It is located in Costa Mesa, which is in Orange County, California. You can find it on the grounds of the OC Fair & Event Center.
The amphitheatre first opened its doors in July 1983. The famous singer Barry Manilow was the very first performer there. Today, the venue is open mainly during the summer. It hosts concerts as part of the annual Summer Concert Series at the OC Fair. Since 2003, the OC Fair & Event Center has managed the venue.
Contents
History of the Amphitheatre
The Pacific Amphitheatre is often ranked among the top concert venues worldwide. However, its location caused some challenges.
Noise Concerns and Reopening
The area around the fairgrounds has many homes. When the amphitheatre first opened, neighbors complained about the loud noise from concerts. These complaints led to legal issues. Because of this, the venue closed in 1995.
After almost ten years, the Pacific Amphitheatre reopened in 2003. This happened at the same time as the annual OC Fair. As part of an agreement with the local residents, the venue now operates differently. It has a smaller audience capacity. Also, the sound levels are carefully watched to keep noise down.
Changes to Seating
In 2013, the amphitheatre went through a big construction project. The seating area, which was like a large grassy hill, was reshaped. This change reduced the number of people who could attend concerts. The capacity went from about 18,500 down to 8,200. A new entrance was also created from inside the fairgrounds.
Famous Performances
Many well-known artists have performed at the Pacific Amphitheatre.
- Marvin Gaye gave his final concert here on August 14, 1983.
- Frank Sinatra performed on September 8, 1990.
- Whitney Houston had a concert on May 17, 1991. This was part of her I'm Your Baby Tonight World Tour.
- Bob Dylan played on July 28, 2003.
- Taylor Swift opened for Leann Rimes on July 31, 2007.
- Selena Gomez performed on July 24, 2011.
- Trevor Noah was on stage on July 16, 2022.
On June 30, 1984, a concert by Jefferson Starship was broadcast live. People across the country could listen to it on the ABC Rock Radio Network.
See also
- List of contemporary amphitheatres
